There are those who wonder about the relevance of Druidry or its connection to situations such as the current health alarm triggered by the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Although the IDG issued an initial statement with a more social approach [in Galizan only], it is true that from a strictly religious point of view we can (and must) reflect on the place of our Deities and question our beliefs in relation to the issue of physical health and healing.

We often state, yet it is important to insist on it, that Druidry does not consider anything as being “supernatural”. Such a concept does not exist, because nothing is outside Nature.
Nature is the absolute, from the smallest element in the construction of reality to the whole of all existence. Nothing stays outside or is external, not even our Celtic Deities, who operate within it.

In our belief Deities are derived from Nature, as we do not believe in exogenous creation (hence They do not create out of nothing). Them and us move forward in a constant flow that may be swifter, may be slower, may even go at very uneven speeds, yet this explains the intrinsic order within Nature – we perceive the order because we are part of it – where at the same time everything is interconnected .Thus, in Druidry there is no single supreme god or creator, neither are there the concepts of salvation, sin, revelation, miracle or so many other ideas present in other religions. Our Deities teach by example, They show the path, They are teachers for those willing to follow on their steps.

This is all important in understanding the natural phenomena that actually unfold the mechanisms inherent in nature which are studied by science. In fact, science is absolutely essential for a better understanding of society, history and Nature and, consequently, for a better knowledge of Druidry itself. The more precise and definitive scientific knowledge, the more precise and accurate our perception of reality will be and, therefore, the better we will understand the processes that bind us to the rest of the Cosmos.Let us not forget that the Durbedes (ancient Druids) were, among other things, the scientists and doctors or their time.

So are Deities “guilty” of an evil like a pandemic? Not at all. It is nobody’s “guilt” or “fault”, Nature does not care about that. A virus, as a living being, is yet another element that has its moment and its place, as we have, and it is in this strange dialectic where disease acts against our defenses; it is its adaptation against our medicine, its profit against our sloppiness or carelessness.

Are the Deities insensitive to our suffering? Of course not. Still, the reality is that the majority of us grew up in a society where the divine was spoken of as merciful, loving and demanding: demanding that its believers subject themselves to its laws in exchange for concessions of help and support. In Druidry such an exchange does not work like that, it would not be fair, as it would not be fair for a teacher to hand us the exam answers before it starts.

God Endovélico /|\, wise Lord of Medicine and Research, is the example of the tireless scholar, searching out formulas, finding solutions. That is the role model, that is the inspiration being whispered to us in our conversations and petitions. He is full of light, but His home could be in the deepest shadows, hidden away between the rocks, where He can work in peace, learning about the things that lurk in the dark, the things that not everyone sees. However, His door is always open, like a teacher’s office with whom we can confer, but He will surely not do the homework for us.

Yes, Celtic philosophy and religion require work and effort. We can have the most exceptional help coming from other domains we have no access to, but it is never “paranormal”. The Divinity carries that name because it was earned; likewise, we have to earn ours.

Learn. Love. Laugh.

The sky has not fallen on our heads yet.

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“Druidry is a philosophy, a way of life”It is that, and much more. Druidry (or “Druidism”) is a way for us to perceive the world through a specific tradition and thought; it is a way to relate to one another through a series of values and sense of justice. And it is a religion.Do bear in mind that the current concept of religion is a western construction from the 17thC, only to crystallise in the 19th. It is therefore a relatively new idea, although it can be applied to Druidry, understood as stable organised groups within a belief system. No more, no less.Celtic or Druidic religion is officially recognised in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, United States of America, Canada and the Spanish State, and it is in the process of being recognised in other jurisdictions.

“Druidry has no dogmas”Serious Druidry has a set of very clear and specific tenets which, by definition, are dogmas, regardless of the bad press this word may have (same as with “religion”).There are well establised beliefs, norms and rules. It is not a shapeless something where anything goes, nor an abstract construct of “New Age”-inspired ideas. Otherwise Druidry would not have held its internal coherence and served as the element of cohesion of ancient Europe for many centuries. In other words, without a high degree of “orthodoxy” Druidry could not have been as the backbone of Celtic Civilisation for such a long time in so many different places.

“Druidry is Nature spirituality”Of course, and it also honours the Ancestors, reveres the Deities, works for the good of the community on a daily basis, fights against social injustice, against animal abuse, against sexism, racism, etc.It is not a passive or contemplative religion, it never was, since it has always been linked to its People, to its adaptation and progress.Druidic practitioners cannot be limited to walks in the forest, singing songs while holding hands and hugging trees, which is all good, but not only.

“Druidry is a personal path”Each person lives Druidry in a unique and intimate way, and even if sometimes we all need a time for personal introspection, it must not forgotten that Druidry is social, communitarian, where the bonds of clan, tribe, families and friends are paramount. Without that there cannot be Druidry.A Celtic society is made up of free and independent individuals, but individuals who contribute to the common good with their strength, ideas and work.

“Druidry is ‘paganism’ or ‘neo-paganism’ ”Although those terms can seem intuitive in our society as they identify pre-christian beliefs, they are in fact quite imprecise and even insulting.There is no “pagan” religion as such. This word is used as a generic where to include totally miscellaneous beliefs. Moreover, this term has historically been imposed from a supremacist perspective, encompassing any non-abrahamic spiritualities and beliefs (that is, not Christian, Muslim or Jewish) in a pejorative manner.Thus, Druidry is a religion in itself, with no need for a higher category.

“Those who follow Druidry are Druids”These are titles referring to a priestly category. Naturally, being a believer or follower of a religion does not automatically grant anybody such a status, nor can these titles be self-attributed in a whim.In order to become a Druid (what we call Durvate at IDG) candidates must embark on and complete a formal process of study and initiation, where they must be accepted as men and women of knowledge amongst their community and peers, therefore remaining in the service of said community.People who are simply believers may be called Druidists.

“The Celts were a wise and harmonious people, as were their Druids”There was a bit of everything, like anywhere else. The ancient Celts (although relatively advanced) were not perfect, the same as their political and spiritual leaders, who were as human as we are.Having said that, and just like we now know things they did not know, they did know things we are unaware of and that would do us good… And that is what we are up to.Sure we have a lot of good stuff to learn and lots to update and adapt to our contemporary failed society. That process alone is a fascinating life challenge in itself.

“Cults took place in Nature, where the Druids lived”Most of them lived right in the centre of the town, next door to the king, queen or whoever. Druids were not useful and could not perform their duties if they were at the forest picking up herbs all day or meditating in permanent isolation.In relation to cults, there were marked sacred spaces as well as true temples with different shapes and sizes, capable of accommodating hundreds of attendants. This does not exclude other rites from taking place in wilder settings.

Verdade, mas nom só – True, but not only 😉

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What would our ancestors think of us? Namely, what would the ancient Druids think of how we conduct Druidic business and organise ourselves?

I guess that, notwithstanding the honest efforts in reviving a fading Tradition, they would be alarmed at our fragmentation …

[We] have an imperative to assemble, talk, move forward, to propose and create rather than always lament how much has been lost and how unfair history has been to our people …

We cannot do that in isolation nor can we dawdle, since modern pressures also deepen the social and cultural deconstruction of our nations. There is a lot of work ahead, but the path we walk should not be a lonely one.

This is a reflection of our Durvate Mor (Archdruid), /|\ Milésio, on the future of our Clans and beliefs. In other words, it is a personal observation on the role and preservation of Druidry and Celtic culture and society in the times to come.

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